Page 42 - The Guide To Malaysia 9th Edition

38 INTRODUCTION TO THE STATES OF MALAYSIA
Sarawak Bumi Kenyalang
(Sarawak, The Land of the Hornbills)
Malaysia Maps
processing of natural resources: petrochemicals, wood-based products, palm oil, marine engineering and oil and gas refining. The newly emerging energy intensive industry sector is expanding rapidly. There are also small but fast-growing electronics and ICT sectors. Sarawak’s abundant flora and fauna and vibrant indigenous cultures have made tourism an important activity.
Major Industrial Areas
Sarawak has 17 industrial zones: Pending Industrial Estate, Demak Laut Industrial Park, Sama
Jaya Free Industrial
Zone (Kuching); Kota Samarahan Industrial Estate, Tebedu Industrial Estate (Samarahan); Sarikei Light Industrial Estate; Upper Lanang Industrial Estate, Rantau Panjang Shipbuilding Industrial Zone (Sibu); Bintulu Light Industrial Estate, Kemena Industrial Estate, Kidurong Light Industrial Area, Tanjung Kidurong Industrial Area, Jepak Industrial Estate (Bintulu); Kapit Light Industrial Estate; and Kuala Balam Industrial Estate, Piasau Industrial Estate, Bekenu Light Industrial
Area (Miri). There is also the energy-intensive Samalaju Industrial Park located within the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) (see page 373), which leverages on the state’s abundant hydropower.
SARAWAK
Population: 2.47 million Area: 125,000sq km
State Capital: Kuching Website: sarawak.gov.my
HOW TO GET THERE By Air: Kuching and Miri
Historical Background
Malaysia’s largest state formerly belonged to the Sultanate of Brunei. In 1839, an English adventurer, James Brooke, volunteered to ward off piracy and insurgency, and as a
reward was made Rajah of Sarawak in 1841, founding
a dynasty that lasted until the Japanese occupation
in 1941. Following WWII, Rajah Vyner Brooke ceded Sarawak as a British Crown Colony. On 22nd July 1963, Sarawak once more became an independent nation. However, its leaders felt the country would advance more rapidly as part of a greater whole; on 16th September 1963 it joined with Malaya, Sabah and Singapore (later expelled) to form the new nation of Malaysia.
International Airports; regional airports in Sibu, Bintulu and Limbang; STOL Airports in Ba’Kelalan, Bario, Lawas, Long Akha, Long Banga, Long Lellang, Long Seridan, Marudi and Mulu. By Road: The Pan Borneo Highway from Sarawak in the South via Brunei to Sabah in the North.
By Sea: Kuching, Sarikei, Tanjung Manis, Sibu, Sungai Merah, Mukah Bintulu, Miri and Kuala Baram are cargo and passenger ports. Express boat passenger terminals at Sarikei, Kapit, Marudi.
State Government
The Head of State is the
Yang di-Pertua Negeri
(Governor), currently Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib
bin Mahmud (assumed
office 1st March 2014),
who is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The State Legislative Assembly holds elections independently of national elections. The State Cabinet, comprising Ministers and Deputy Ministers, acts as
the executive, headed by
the Premier (usually leader of the majority party or coalition). A professional Civil Service (under the State Secretary) administers and implements policy.
Major Economic Activities
Major industries involve production and downstream